Turf Design Studio & Environmental Partnership has received ‘Highly Commended’ in the annual Kidsafe National Playspace Design Awards, which recognises the most outstanding and innovative playspaces across Australia.

The national awards program honours exceptional designs in 6 categories. Turf Design Studio & Environmental Partnership won ‘Highly Commended’ in the Public Playspaces Category ($500K to $1M) for the Sydney Park C.A.R.E.S. Precinct Bike Track. The awards presentation was held yesterday at Sydney Park’s Cycling Centre.

The project’s director Scott Ibbotson said, “City of Sydneywholeheartedly sought the public’s opinion, and through community consultation gauged the essential requirements and desires of the community. This adventure-style bike track moves away from the conventional bike track layout and shifts the focus towards play and learning to ride. We are absolutely thrilled that the bike track has already become a much loved asset for the community, and promotes bike riding as a playful, healthy and sociable experience.”

The children’s bike track follows the success of Sydney Park’s Water Re-Use Project, which has collected numerous accolades locally and abroad this year. TDEP’s involvement at Sydney Park continues – the “Wetland Explorer” is currently in development – an educational wayfinding strategy that teaches children and the community about Sydney Park’s wetland system and processes.

The bike track design was a collaborative process, with dedicated contributions from our project team, as follows:

Client: City of Sydney

Head Consultant / Landscape Architect: TDEP

Engineering (Civil): Alluvium

Engineering (Structural): Partridge

Lighting: Lighting Art + Science (LAAS)

Access: Funktion

Play Expert: Fiona Robbé

Head Contractor / Civil Works: Sydney Civil

Landscape Contractors: Hargraves Urban

Bespoke Timber ‘Play Stations’: Timber Creations (Andrew Smith)

Playground Safety Inspections: Play DMC

Sydney - November 8, 2015: Children use the new cycle track in Sydney Park (photo by Jamie Williams/City of Sydney)